Direct/Dish question.

Have had direct for 6 years…it’s been good, we’ve been happy. We want to upgrade to HD, they want to soak us for the new equipment and won’t give the deals as we’re existing customers. The deals, free HD equipment, etc. is for new customers only…I’ve tried talking to a few different directTV people…no go, have to pay, they won’t budge.

If we switch to dish, we get all the equipment free, yada, yada. Free channels for 3 months, channels for a penny, yada…Switching will be cheaper than we pay now and we’ll get more channels and HD programming. No brainer since Direct wants to charge for equipment.

So, the question is…when we switch and have filled our 2 year contract obligation can we switch back to directTV and get the deals, free equipment, etc, by then if things go as they have…forever, there will be better equipment, better programming, etc. Or will they charge more since we used to be customers?? Can a guy switch back and fourth every two years without penalty??

BIRDDOG

Hi,

I would guess you can. We switched awhile ago to charter cable from Direct. We were able to bundle a good TV cable package (read everything they have) and internet together for less than we were paying for it separately. We immediately got offers from direct to switch back, in fact we still do.

I’m surprised they want to charge you for that, my brother-in-law has direct and switched awhile ago when he got a new tv and never mentioned anything about them charging him for it.

You get about the same type of programming on Dish I believe as direct. Maybe more if your up late and don’t have kids watching.

Just my experiences, others may vary.

After your 2 year contract with Dish you will be able to go back to Direct for the new customer cost. Direct will, just as any phone company or TV provider, do what they can to get there customers back. Matter in fact when you call to cancel Direct, they will ask you why. This is when you will be able to vent on them

I have Dish TV and have not had any troubles with there service and will stay with them. Dish has also offered up grades at new customer cost as long as you sign the 2 year agreement and have no outstanding bills with any other cable provider.

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Matter in fact when you call to cancel Direct, they will ask you why. This is when you will be able to vent on them

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I recently made the switch from Comcast to DirecTV, mainly because Comcast wouldn’t allow me to bundle my services together at the “new customer” rate. Called to cancel Comcast and they were more than willing to rebundle my package. Unfortunately for them, the dish was already installed. I would imagine that DirecTV will probably do the same thing if you call to cancel service.

I called them in December with the same question and they said since I was a customer since roughly 2000 I would get one HD receiver and the dish for free. Maybe threaten them with leaving. If I wanted a second HD receiver it was $100.
They are coming to hook it up this week, good luck on the roof at these temps .

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Called to cancel Comcast and they were more than willing to rebundle my package.

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We make that call every time there is a new offer or our “new” rate is about to expire. Comcast always rebundles.

-J.

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Called to cancel Comcast and they were more than willing to rebundle my package.

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We make that call every time there is a new offer or our “new” rate is about to expire. Comcast always rebundles.

-J.

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You must get better customer service people than I do, then! They were totally unwilling to work with me.

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Called to cancel Comcast and they were more than willing to rebundle my package.

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We make that call every time there is a new offer or our “new” rate is about to expire. Comcast always rebundles.

-J.

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You must get better customer service people than I do, then! They were totally unwilling to work with me.

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They are always unwilling until you say…. “Come get your box!”

-J.

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Called to cancel Comcast and they were more than willing to rebundle my package.

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We make that call every time there is a new offer or our “new” rate is about to expire. Comcast always rebundles.

-J.

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You must get better customer service people than I do, then! They were totally unwilling to work with me.

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They are always unwilling until you say…. “Come get your box!”

-J.

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Yep, every TV/Phone/DSL provider will. Stocks and revenue are based on the number of customers, they all hate to loose customers to competition. Especially in today’s market allowing any competition to move into any area.

Been down that road. 10 yr plus loyal paying customer, no bennies for you, hah… Cancel the account then reopen in your wifes maiden name. Works wonderfully and so does the new free equipment…. (you didn’t hear it from me) Funny thing is the bill still arrives monthly…..

As Kurt said, there are other ways around this too. Sign up under another name using a different cell phone number etc…. I’m guessing if you play the Dish card, they will fold.

recently I called Directv because I wanted the locals on the 8 from the weather channel and I couldn’t get it with my old dish and receivers..

so they gave me 3 new receivers and a NEW SLIMLINE DISH..

but I called 1 800- directv and talked to them directly.

I always am NICE.. and I MEAN VERY Nice to them.. and they in turn take good care of me..

always ask where you are calling.. if its out of the country, call back later.. say that there is some one at the door.. and hang up..

if its this country.. try to judge who you are talking to. If they seem to know what they are talking about.. tell them what you want..

if they don’t seem to have a clue.. its the door bell again..

but always be NICE..

I speak loudly because I have a hearing disfunction.. I tell them that.. I can’t tell that I am talking too loud.. so I explain it to the person..

but be nice.. if you don’t get what you want.. ask for retention.

the people in RETENTION WANT YOU TO STAY.. if you are nice and explain to them, hey , I need this to function with your service.. THEY ARE GOING TO HELP YOU..

But Be NICE..( Patrick Swayze, Road House)

do not talk to best buy or a local dealer.. that’s not who to talk to..

call the number.. BE NICE.. and watch what happens..

if you get a hard time write back and I will gave you the Directv Presidents’ phone number..

and trust me.. THEY WILL HELP YOU…with bells on..

I debated with the guy on the phone the other day! I had to ask why being good customers for so many years they wouldn’t give us the same deal as a new customer?? I was at my wits end so I said good by and called back asking to talk to a manager. He gave the same story, no budge.

We’ll see what happens when we cancel. Unfortunatly for them, if I say cancel, give them the reason(s) as stated above. I’m gone! They might try to give the equipment for free to keep us, at that point it’s to late as I’ve asked several times for that end result and you wouldn’t do it. Ohh…but now that I say cancel the tune changes??

Direct has been good, no TV issues but I must say, they’re customer service isn’t exactly good. It’s not as if I feel I’m talking to a smiling face.

So, DISH it is.

Another question…will my direct bill be prorated, refunded for the days I havn’t used…or do I need to time out my cancelation so it ends right before the new billing cycle?? I’m sure I could call and ask them, but I’ve had it, easier to ask you guys.

BIRDDOG

one, I wouldn’t cancel.. if YOU call retention, they will give you the deal.

but I wouldn’t cancel, with the instability of DISH right now.. ATT just dropped them in favor of Directv.. and the words that I am hearing from the big show in Vegas this week is that you may, MAY, may, see the two satellite services merging.

there is a big discussion on one of the DBS forums, saying that TV may be at its peak.. and it may all start to change, especially with this economy..

So if retention meets or exceeds your needs, I would stay.. It will save you the time of getting all new equipment and what not.. but its your choice..

I can only give you the advice that I know at this time.

I wish you well in your decision..

the ol’ rat..

the key phrase is “cancel my programming” tell them you are switching to the other one, and tell them you would like it turned off in a week. That should get you past their first like of operators, to the next level which have the authority to offer you those same deals as if you were a new customer. Problem i had is in the last 4 years i went from dish to directv cause they were going to be able to get my locals, then when directv found out they wouldn’t be able to get them, i switched back to dish. In both instances i inquired of each to upgrade and both said no to existing customer, so i called the other and got all their freebies and installs. After i was hooked up i called them and both times when i said cancel my programming they transferred me higher up the chain where they then offered me the upgrades for free. Just my personal experiance.

An old trick in the customer service industry is to transfer you to Joe across the isle he pretends to be a manager. I’ve seen the policy/procedure that describes how to handle these situations. Now, I’m not saying Direct does this, but given my experiences with their CS staff, it wouldn’t surprise me.

I actusalyl switched from direct tv. liked it a lot, but they could not offer me the higher speed internet. they told me I could chnage to “sprint” then see if they had it in my area. I said why would I want to change to a higher phone line without a guarantee to have faster internet. so I switched. we have gotten letters weekly to come back to them. and they did try to offer everything to me that I wanted previous……dvr and free 6 months all channels and such. so I changed. but think I am heading back as the wife doe snot really like it. And I really miss the NFL ticket. even though my broncos did stink at the end of the year.

When I went from cable to DishTV, they screwed up my order. I wanted the TurboHD (HD only) package but they signed me up for the top 150 plus HD. Well when the installer called to have that fixed, I was already considered an existing customer and TurboHD was only for new customers. So with me be an “existing” customer for about 5 minutes, it took over an hour, several departments, and several mangers later to have it fixed. It sounded like the software actually locked customer service (unless Customer Service was BSing their own installers). and others out from making changes. I’m sure DirectTv has the same controls in place and finding a customer service rep how will actually get off their arse to get you to the right department is slim. Old Rat really likes to push DirectTV, but he is probably right that if you could get to the “retention” department they would probably help you. But if you have to jump through a million hoops and threaten to leave, is it worth staying?

It seems they should all act a little more like the cell companies are working today (at least in my experience). I have a two year contract with AT&T but anytime I want to change anything, they just say ok and switch it. You think if the cable/dish guys were more flexible, they would retain more customers.

Does either DirectTV or DishNetwork offer local HD channels yet in the La Crosse area?

directv does as of a couple of weeks ago.. I have decided to stay with the distants.. so I can’t tell you the quality..

but Directv has them and its all on ONE DISH as of like a month ago..

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When I went from cable to DishTV, they screwed up my order. I wanted the TurboHD (HD only) package but they signed me up for the top 150 plus HD. Well when the installer called to have that fixed, I was already considered an existing customer and TurboHD was only for new customers. So with me be an “existing” customer for about 5 minutes, it took over an hour, several departments, and several mangers later to have it fixed. It sounded like the software actually locked customer service (unless Customer Service was BSing their own installers). and others out from making changes. I’m sure DirectTv has the same controls in place and finding a customer service rep how will actually get off their arse to get you to the right department is slim. Old Rat really likes to push DirectTV, but he is probably right that if you could get to the “retention” department they would probably help you. But if you have to jump through a million hoops and threaten to leave, is it worth staying?

It seems they should all act a little more like the cell companies are working today (at least in my experience). I have a two year contract with AT&T but anytime I want to change anything, they just say ok and switch it. You think if the cable/dish guys were more flexible, they would retain more customers.

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I push Directv for two reasons.. One, Charter screwed me over big time.. they lost two cash payments.. and over the years, out and out lied to my face.. I wouldn’t send my worst enemy to Charter.. only because it would help them get more money..

and two: I really did my homework between the two dishes.. and the people from DISH out and out lied to me. When I was ready to purchase, I wanted to know if I would get the Brewers where I live.. according to Dish and their installers.. Yes.. but going on the internet and doing research NO!.. NO! AND ABSOLUTELY NO…

and within one minute of Directv use, I could not believe the picture and sound quality.. It was like some one sold me a new TV set.

During my research, I found that most people would switch to Directv from Dish.. and those who had the two, said that Dish and Charlie were a joke.. over the last three years Directv has launched 3 satellites. and a fourth one will be launched soon.. they have made the improvements.. THey actually have the HD content.. and when they count they don’t use smoke and mirrors for their HD total.

and I get NOTHING.. Not one thing but to pass on a good thing. one it takes money from Charter.

Two, if you use Directv and like it, I look smart..

Too bad DirectTV (or the cable companies) doesn’t offer an HD only package, or if they do they sure don’t advertise it or make it easy to find on their website. I probably would have gone with Direct if they did. I see no need to have “regular” channels with the number of HD channels out there now so way pay for them. I’m not exactly sure what you mean by they have the HD content and don’t use smoke and mirrors?? I think both use some smoke and mirrors when they say how many HD channels they have. Hmmm…sorry to get off topic….

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I push Directv for two reasons.. One, Charter screwed me over big time.. they lost two cash payments..

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You gave someone cash without getting a receipt, not once but twice even

I have Dish net work and have had no problems with the picture provided or there customer service

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and when they count they don’t use smoke and mirrors for their HD total.

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Just to clarify…they BOTH do that. I’ve been researching this for a few days…eerr…weeks now. When I was up in Hibbing over the holidays I stopped at a dish store to inquire, the sales guy even said, “it’s decieving”. Both Dish and direct will say they have so many HD channels with a certain package…but when you look, it’s actually like 2/3’s that number you get, where are the rest?? Oh…those are PPV. They BOTH add the PPV channels to those HD numbers.

Still havn’t made the call…I’ll get around to it.

BIRDDOG

I didn’t say that I was the smartest person in the world at that time.

I am not saying I didn’t make a mistake.. I did. but I won’t ever make that mistake again.. but its still stealing no matter how you look at it. Mistake or not.

and charter or someone who works for them, meaning their AGENT, took the money..

In the near future Dish is going to add more HD content as well, and these aren’t PPV channels either. They have a new bird in the air and testing is ongoing. It should be released to Dish soon to let them move channels around and free up some space for the new additions.

I just got off the phone after talking with Dish Network to have my local channels come from them instead of having to get a converter box. Without even asking the dude on the other end….he noticed my account is over 11 years old and we have never had an upgrade.

I now have 2 new receivers and all the fixin’s coming in the mail at NO CHARGE. If we have any troubles with the installation we were given the local number of an installer that will hook things up without a charge. You can’t bet that for customer service

Like I said previously…..Dish Network has been great to us